Nigeria transport sector faces vehicle mandate shifts and new electric ride-hailing launch

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is enforcing a policy requiring airport cab operators to replace all vehicles manufactured before 2012 by October 2026. This mandate, combined with a directive to reduce fleet sizes from over 50 to 30 vehicles per company, has sparked concerns among the 17 licensed car-hire operators. Prince Amosola, Chairman of the Airport Cab Operators, warned that the high cost of newer models—estimated between N15m and N18m—could lead to significant job losses for hundreds of drivers.

In a related development in the transport sector, PromiseLand Innovations Limited announced plans to launch ProTaxi, an electric ride-hailing service, on October 1, 2026. Starting in Abuja, the service aims to utilize rechargeable electric vehicles to lower travel costs and reduce fuel dependency. The company intends to place 1,000 electric vehicles with qualified drivers through a digital booking platform, offering a potential alternative to the traditional petrol-based transport model currently facing economic pressure.